At $21/barrel for oil, energy equivalent value is about $3 billion/tonne

As the US uses the energy equivalent of 30 tonnes of 3He/year
to produce electricity, the no growth market for the US alone is about
$90 billion/year.

For perspective, the Apollo Program cost about $64 billion in today's
dollars.

The US growth market is 2050, and after nearly total power infrastructure
replacement, would be about $200 billion.

These economic figures suggest that a lunar minig operation may be
commercially viable if start-up costs can be financed, that is, held to
a few billion dollars/year for about 10 years with returns on investment
begining within 3-5 years of initial investment.

3He fusion power is politically and environmentally sound
(Lectures # 1 and 28)

No radioactive fuel

Little or no nuclear waste

Reduction of the environmental impace of power generation

High conversion efficiences

No external effluents

Potential for a new domestic industrial base

Important spin-off technologies

Potential for less expensive electrical power

Concurrent development of other space resources

Concurrent development of the capability to deflect Earth-crossing

Very limited and transitory environmental impact on the Moon's surface
and atmosphere

History shows that costs will increase and management efficiency will
decrease relative to plans as taxpayer pressure to control costs is only
indirect and diluted through the broader electorial process.

Conservation

Limited in total potential as ultimately energy is required for growth
and improvement of quality of life.